Philip Roth Personal Library

Design Studio: C&G Partners

Following Philip Roth’s passing, his personal collection of roughly 7,000 volumes, which he utilized in his writing, was donated to the Library. We drew inspiration from Roth’s residence to create a room within the gallery that consists entirely of books. The exhibition provides a window into Roth’s intellect, imagination, and legacy, with numerous books bearing his handwritten notes and markings.

Identity, Digital, and Exhibition Design

 

Inspiration

Logo

Roth placed his personal library in the Newark Public Library because he loved the city where he grew up and used the library himself when he was young. He wanted to give back to the community by ensuring that his collection of books would be accessible to the public and enrich future generations.

 

Interior

The exhibition showcases Roth’s signature book jacket designs, highlighting vibrant colors and expressive 1970s typography. Visitors can also view rare photographs, manuscripts, and personal letters that offer insight into his creative process and the inspiration behind his acclaimed works.

 

Details of Cases

In the space, we used colors to differentiate various categories and subjects of the author. We then scattered these colors throughout the space, integrating the natural aesthetic of the bookcases and Roth’s personal furniture, to create variety and evoke the feeling of browsing book spines on a shelf.

 

Interior